In which group of Indian coastal states is the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project being implemented as a pilot investment?

Introduction / Context:
This question is from environmental planning and geography. The Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project is an initiative designed to manage and protect coastal and marine resources in a holistic way. It involves pilot projects in selected Indian coastal states. For exam purposes, it is important to know which states were chosen for these initial investments.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The project mentioned is the Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project.
• The question specifies that the implementation is as a pilot investment.
• Several groups of coastal states are given as options.
• You must select the exact combination of states where the pilot ICZM project was implemented.

Concept / Approach:
ICZM aims to address coastal erosion, habitat loss, pollution and unplanned development. For the pilot phase, the government and development partners selected states with long coastlines and diverse coastal ecosystems. Those states were Gujarat on the west coast, and Odisha and West Bengal on the east coast. By remembering this specific combination, candidates can answer similar questions confidently.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the ICZM Project in India began with a focus on selected states rather than the entire coastline. Step 2: The chosen states represent both western and eastern coasts to capture varied ecological and socio economic conditions. Step 3: Gujarat, with its long coastline and Gulf regions, was selected on the west coast. Step 4: Odisha and West Bengal, with sensitive delta and cyclone prone coastal zones, were selected on the east coast. Step 5: This combination Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal matches option C.

Verification / Alternative check:
Reports on ICZM financing and project documents list the three pilot states repeatedly as Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal. They describe specific demonstration sites like the Gulf of Kachchh in Gujarat, the Chilika region in Odisha and the Sunderbans region in West Bengal. None of the other state groupings in the options align exactly with this standard list, which confirms that option C is correct.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A (Gujarat, Kerala and Goa) is wrong; although all are coastal states, Kerala and Goa were not part of the initial ICZM pilot project group.
Option B (Kerala, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh) is incorrect as none of these three form the official pilot combination.
Option D (Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu) is also wrong; these states may have coastal management programmes but are not the designated ICZM pilot trio.
Option E (Goa, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal) is incorrect; this grouping does not match the official ICZM pilot selection either.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often try to guess based on general familiarity with coastal states and their environmental issues. However, ICZM pilot states are a specific memorisation item and cannot be deduced simply from coastline length. Another pitfall is confusing ICZM with other coastal projects or disaster management programmes that involve different states. Creating a short list of such specific combinations during revision helps avoid confusion.

Final Answer:
The ICZM Project is being implemented as a pilot investment in the states of Gujarat, Odisha and West Bengal.